126 orchid-grower's manual. 



March, April, and May. The blossoms are rose purple, 

 and remain three weeks in perfection, if kept dry. This 

 fine species of Catthnja, when grown strong, will produce as 

 many as nine or ten flowers on a spike. It is one of the finest 

 Orchids that can be grown for any of the exhibitions in May, 

 the colour being distinct and difierent from that of any other 

 Cattleya. One of the finest plants of this species I ever saw 

 was exhibited at the Regent's Park Exhibition in 1869, by 

 Mr. Archer, gardener to A. Turner, Esq., of Leicester; it was 

 in beautiful health, splendidly flowered, and measured some 

 three feet in diameter. 



C. speciosissima Louii. — This is a veiy handsome form of 

 the C. lahiata type. The pseudobulbs are oblong and deeply 

 channelled, bearing ovate, shining leaves ; flowers large, fre- 

 quently measuring eight inches in diameter ; they are borne 

 upon a somewhat short spike three or four together ; sepals 

 and petals broad soft flesh colour, the latter being the broadest 

 with erose edges. The lip forms a cii'cle, thi'ough closing 

 over the column, the fi^ont portion being of an intense 

 amethyst colour, varied with white and yellow markings 

 towards the centre, where are also several lines of bright 

 amethyst. It is a gem amongst Cattleyas, and first 

 flowered mth T. Dawson, Esq., Meadow Bank. Native of 

 Venezuela. 



C. superha. — This truly beautiful plant comes from Guiana. 

 It is a slow-growing species, and usually ten inches high. It 

 flowers in June and July. The blossoms, which are of a deep 

 rose colom% with a rich crimson Hp, will remain in bloom 

 three weeks ; it produces three or four flowers on a spike, and 

 is a very distinct species. It requires plenty of water at all 

 times, and should never be allowed to get in a shrivelled 

 state — if so, it is difficult to restore to a healthy condition 

 again ; requires more heat than the other Cattleyas, and is 



